A South Lakes High School student was robbed on the way to school on Monday morning. The student was walking a path towards the school when, at approximately 6:45 a.m., a man approached him from behind. The suspect demanded the student's money, and the student obliged, giving his wallet to the suspect. The victim was then told to walk away, which he did. The suspect was described as a black man, approximately 30 years old.
The Fairfax County Police Department did not specify how the student could identify the suspect's age and color, because those details are a part of an ongoing investigation, according to a police Public Information Officer Eddy Azcarate.
The student walked to the school to report the incident, at which point the police were called. Reston District Station commander Captain Deborah Burnett said the department dispatched a helicopter to assist the officers on the scene in locating the suspect. She said that the incident is not a part of a larger crime trend in the area. "This is a very isolated incident," said Burnett.
South Lakes Principal Bruce Butler also said there was no need for further concern, and that this incident was the first on the pathways near the school since he became the principal nearly two years ago. In a letter to Reston and South Lakes parents Butler said students' safety is the school's priority. "The security of our students is our first priority," he wrote in the letter. Butler's letter also described the suspect, adding that he wore a black sweatshirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.